Far Cathay and Farther India

Paperback | February 4, 2012

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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XI. INDO-BURMESE BORDER TRIBES. General Summary--People considered Impracticable even by the Imperial Dalhousie--Success of Sir Cecil Bendon's Departure--language of this Region of a Broken and Infirm Type--All the Tribes understand a Common Language--Proverbial Philosophy--Bachelors' and Spinsters' Clubs--Courtship and Marriage--Women Valued in Ratio to Physical Capacity--High Prices demanded for Marriageable Girls--' Girls of the Period'--Clothing, from Fig-leaves to Elaborate Toilettes--Naga Delicacy--Toungya or Jum Cultivation--Manipur--Game of Polo--Origin of Name. Interposed between Bengal and Burma is a great mountain system, of which, only two decades ago, we knew little more than that it was peopled by numerous savage tribes of warlike habits and predatory instincts--a legacy left us by the Assam dynasty, which we supplanted. Our ignorance of these races, their numerous dialects, their customs and modes of living, was equalled by their complete ignorance of us and our power. Hemmed in and stationary themselves, they could not understand that we had other resources than those in evidence, and therefore were entirely unable to comprehend the inevitable results of their obstinacy. Of history they have nothing worthy the name, and the oral traditions they possess lack the corroborative evidence that makes those of the Karens so valuable. The Manipuris, who are in touch with Hindu civilisation, in spite of their history being disfigured by a record of barbarism in the shape of internal wars of a revolting type, would fain live up to the ideal standard allotted them in the Indian epics, wherein their country and ancestors are described in glowing terms. Those not so influenced, however, have no such romantic inspiration, and are not to be disti...